Whether you’re a veteran, service member, or a dependent using VA education benefits or the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, this section answers the most commonly asked questions about tuition, benefits, enrollment, and more.
Applying for VA Education Benefits
I am a veteran student or a dependent of a veteran. How do I apply for education benefits?
You may apply for chapter benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. If you have been found eligible and have received your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter from the VA, please submit the COE to UC Merced’s Veteran Certifying Official. You must also complete and submit the Veteran Enrollment Card to UC Merced’s Veteran Certifying Official each term you wish to receive benefits.
Deadlines & Submissions
Is there a deadline for submitting my VA forms?
You cannot receive payment for chapter benefits until we have received your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and Veteran Enrollment Card. You must submit a Veteran Enrollment Card no later than 30 days after the start of each semester.
Enrollment Certification
What is the process to certify my enrollment to the VA?
Once we have received your Veteran Enrollment Card, the School Certifying Official will report a student’s dates of attendance, degree program, number of registered units, and tuition and fees (if applicable) to the VA. The VA will not pay any student without receiving this information. Certifications are usually processed within 3-5 business days when fees for the term are posted, with the exception of course enrollment issues that may cause delays.
Receiving VA Payments
How do I receive payment for my chapter benefits?
Chapter 33 payments for tuition and fees will be paid directly to the school by the VA. All other benefit payments will be paid directly to the student. If you have not received your monthly benefit payment, you may contact the Veterans Administration Educational Office at 1-888-442- 4551.
Schedule Changes
My schedule changed after I submitted my Veteran Enrollment Card. What should I do?
All changes to the veteran/dependents schedule (major/minor, adds, drops, class cancellations, and/or withdrawals) must be reported to UC Merced’s Veteran Certifying Official. Please keep in mind, the VA will only pay for approved classes that fulfill your graduation requirements.
Monthly Enrollment Verification (Post-9/11 GI Bill®)
What is the monthly enrollment verification requirement for students using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits?
Enrollment verification is a new requirement for Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) students to verify that they are still enrolled in the same courses the school certified to the VA. Students using their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits will be required to verify their enrollment at the end of each month. Failure to verify for two consecutive months will impact your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments. More information is available here.
California Veteran Fee Waiver
What is the California Veteran Fee Waiver and how do I apply?
The Cal Vet Fee Waiver as it’s commonly referred to is a benefit offered through the state of California for veteran dependents. Students apply through their local county Veteran Affairs Office. Once eligibility is determined, an approval letter is sent to the student from their local county Veteran Affairs office. A copy of the approval letter needs to be provided to UC Merced’s Veteran Certifying Official. The Cal Vet Fee Waiver will waive tuition and student services fees to California resident students. The waiver covers summers as well and students must reapply every academic year they wish to use the waiver. Applicants must meet California residency requirements as stated by the Registrar’s Office. For more information, please click here.
Cal Vet Fee Waiver vs. Cal Grant
Can I receive both the California Veteran Fee Waiver and the Cal Grant?
No. The Cal Vet Fee Waiver and the Cal Grant are both considered fee-paying resources and they both cover the same thing, therefore, students are only eligible to receive one during a period of enrollment. The Financial Aid Office will coordinate your Cal Vet Fee Waiver with any other financial aid offered to ensure there are no conflicts with aid specifically designated to cover tuition and fees (e.g., Cal Grant) or impacts other need-based aid (e.g., Bobcat Grant). If you have any questions you may contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 209- 228-7178 or online at https://studentsfirst.ucmerced.edu/contact-us-0.
Credit for Military Experience
Can I receive college credit for military experience?
UC may award lower-division (freshman/sophomore level) units for military courses completed if the courses are consistent with University policy on awarding transfer credit when there is an equivalent course taught at a UC campus. UC will consult the ACE recommendations for information regarding course content and as a guide to the awarding of credit. Credit for military courses is determined after matriculation at UC. For any questions or further information regarding military credit transfer, please contact admissions@ucmerced.edu.
Nonresident Tuition Waiver (VACAA)
What is the non-resident tuition exemption for military-connected students?
The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACAA) allows military-connected students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits to qualify for non- resident tuition exemptions.
Effective 2022-2023 academic year, students using VA education benefits (Chapter 30, 31, 33, or 35 benefits) may qualify for the non-resident tuition exemption if they are living in California. All questions related to determining your residency and eligibility for a VACAA waiver should be directed to the UC Merced Residence Officers in the Office of the Registrar. They may be contacted at slr@ucmerced.edu. The Statement of Legal Residence is found here: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/CAResidency.
UCEAP & VA Benefits
Can I use my VA Chapter benefits for UCEAP Study Abroad?
Unfortunately, the VA will not allow UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) to be certified for the Post 9/11 GI Bill or the DEA benefit. If you choose to participate in UCEAP, you will have to use other financial aid or personal payments to finance the program.
There are several reasons that the VA will not allow UCEAP to be certified:
- UCEAP is not required in order to obtain your degree.
- UCEAP courses are not taught by UC professors.
- UCEAP courses are not listed in the General Catalog and therefore are not approved by the VA when we submit our catalog each year for approval.
- UCEAP has their own billing system, separate from UCM – the VA sees it as a third-party billing system.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Can I use Yellow Ribbon at UC Merced?
Yellow Ribbon funding is unnecessary at public universities but remains relevant for private schools.
Reasons why:
- Public universities are not subject to an annual cap on VA tuition payments. The VA covers 100% of in-state tuition and mandatory fees at these institutions, unlike private schools, which are limited to a yearly cap (approximately $28,000).
- At public universities like UC Merced, the Yellow Ribbon Program was previously used to cover nonresident supplemental tuition. However, the VACAA Waiver now removes these fees for students using eligible VA education benefits, making Yellow Ribbon funding unnecessary at public institutions.
What the VA Covers for a 100% Beneficiary Under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill):
For eligible students, the VA can cover the following fees:
- Tuition
- Student Service Fees
- Campus Based Fees
- UC SHIP Insurance
- Mandatory Course Material Fees
Please note: Tuition and student services fees are determined by the student’s assigned cohort or degree program type (undergraduate or graduate).
Summer Enrollment
I want to take summer school classes. What is considered full-time during summer?
Full-time for an undergraduate or graduate student is 1 unit per week of courses. For example, for a student enrolled in summer session A (6 weeks), in order to be considered full-time, the student must be enrolled in 6 or more units.
Taking Summer Classes at Another UC
Can I use my VA benefits or Cal Vet Fee Waiver for summer classes at another UC?
If you plan to enroll in a summer course at another University of California campus and wish to use your VA benefits or the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, please reach out to UC Merced’s School Certifying Official. You’ll need to request a Parent School Letter to have your benefits applied.
